Take action to protect climate

To the editor:

Like many other Iowans, I care deeply about my beliefs and where they originate. Growing up, my dad would stress the importance of getting a good education not only to realize my full potential, but to understand issues that impact the world as a whole. Climate change is one of those issues.

As a hairstylist, my mom enjoyed creating and appreciating aesthetic beauty with hair and designs from nature around our home. Floral wallpaper, ocean views and pictures of sunsets littered the walls.

A familiar line in my household was the Joseph Wood Krutch quote, 'If people destroy something replaceable made by mankind, they are called vandals; if they destroy something irreplaceable made by God, they are called developers.” It is this double standard that contributes to problems associated with climate change.

We often think of progress in terms of man-made systems without considering real-world costs. We have multiplied our gains in these systems, but reduced our core values. You all have heard of climate change, but what about climate action? I have used this phrase since joining NextGen Climate because it is a call to making everyday decisions and habits count toward protecting our environment, promoting renewability when using natural resources, and preserving a responsible way of life in our families and homes. I ask you to consider what you can do every day to include climate action as part of the political atmosphere of this country.

Keegan Gormally

Iowa City